BIENNIAL    REPORT 


OF   THE 


CHICAGO    HISTORICAL    SOCIETY 


TO   THE 


GOYERNOPt    OF    ILLOOIS. 


SPKINGFIELD : 

BAKER  &  PHILLIPS,  PRINTERS. 
1863. 


lENNIAL   REPOUT 


OF   THE 


CHICAGO    HISTORICAL    SOCIETY, 


TO   THE 


GOVERNOR    OF    ILLOOIS. 


SPKINGFIELD: 

BAKER    &    PHILLIPS,    PRINTERS. 
1863, 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Arciiive 

in  2010  witii  funding  from 

CARLI:  Consortium  of  Academic  and  Researcii  Libraries  in  Illinois 


http://www.archive.org/details/biennialreportofOOinchic 


EEPOKT. 


To  His  Excellency,  Richard  Yates, 

Governor^  etc.': 

Sir: — nl  compliance  with  a  law  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  Illinois,  in 
1860,  granting  to  the  Chicago  Historical  Society  iiity  copies  of  all  ptibli- 
cations  of  the  State,  on  certain  conditions — among  which,  it  was  required 
that  the  Society  should  Gonimunicato-,  biennially,  an  account  of  its  trans- 
actions, for  the  information  of  the  people  of  the  State — I  have  the 
honor,  in  the  Society's  behalf,  and  by  it8  direction,  to  submit  to  your 
Excellency  the  following  •  .       • 

s  E  !•  o  R  T  : 

This  Society  Was  orgatiized  at  Chicago,  April  24th,  1856,  and  re- 
ceived its  charter  from  the  State,  February  7th,  185T.  Its  objects,  as 
expressed  in  its  constitution,  are — 

"1.  To  encourage  historical  inquiry,  and  spread  historical  informa- 
tion, especially  within  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  also  within  the  entire 
territory  of  the  Korthwest — to  embrace,  ahke,  their  aboriginal  and 
modern  history. 

"  2.  The  particular  objects  of  this  association  shall  be :  First^  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  library  of  books  and  publications,  appropriate  to  such  an 
institution,  with  convenient  works  of  reference,  and  also  a  cabinet  of 
antiquities,  relics,  etc.  Second,  the  collection,  into  a  safe  and  perma- 
nent depository,  of  manuscripts,  documents,  papers  and  tracts,  possess- 
ing an  historical  value  and  worthy  of  preservation.  Third,  to  encour- 
age investigation  of  aboriginal  remains,  and,  more  particularly,  to  pro- 
vide for  the  complete  exploration  and  survey  of  such  aboriginal  monu- 
ments as  exist  within  the  limits  of  this  State,  and  at  the  earliest  day. 
Fourth,  to  collect  and  preserve  such  historical  materials,  as  shall  serve 
to  illustrate  the  settlement  and  growth  of  the  city  of  Chicago." 

It  was  deemed  fortunate  for  the  Society,  that  it  possessed,  as  its  first 
President,  (who  but  recently  resigned  his  place,)  a  gentleman,  (Mr.  Wil- 
liam H.  Brown,)  an  early  citizen  of  this  State,  well  known  and  esteemed, 
and  conversant  with  the  men  and  the  events  most  conspicuous  in  our 
State  history. 

Without  assistance  from  other  sources  than  the  liberality  of  its  mem- 
bers, this  Society  has  pursued  its  labors,  for  more  than  six  years  ;  and 


notwithstanding  tlie  financial  reverses,  so  severe  and  accumnlating;, 
which  have  depressed  the  energies  of  our  people,  since  the  year  1857, 
it  has  steadily  pursued  its  labors  for  the  public  good;  with  what  results, 
will  appear  from  the  following  statements  : 

THE     LIBRARY. 

The  first  aim  of  this  institution  was  to  gather  in  the  primary  materi- 
als of  Illinois  and  American  history.  To  this  end  it  has  directed  its 
chief  eff"orts.  Its  aim  has  been,  to  bring  together — -Ist,  all  the  publica- 
tions ot  the  Federal  Government,  from  its  first  establishment.  Although 
its  collections  in  this  department,  are  yet  incomplete,  they  already  com- 
prise a  very  extensive  library  ;  commencing  with  the  journals  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress,  and  including  the  most  important  documents  since 
published.  For  these  it  has  been  largely  indebted  to  the  family  of  the 
late  Hon.  Jesse  B.  Thomas,  the  late  Hon.  S.  A.  Douglas,  and  Hon.  I, 
I^T.  Arnold,  and  to  the  liberality  of  the  Federal  authorities  at  Washington. 
— 2d,  the  society  has  sought  to  bring  together  in  its  library,  the  docu- 
ments of  the  several  states,  from  the  earliest  colonial  periods — more  es- 
pecially their  session  laws,  believed  to  be  the  proper  and  true  exponents 
of  American  ideas  and  institutions.  Their  success  in  this  direction  may 
be  inferred  from  the  facts,  that  they  already  possess  the  entire  laws  of 
Massachusetts  and  Pennsylvania;  those  of  Yirginia,  for  two  hundred 
years  from  its  first  planting  ;  those  of  Maryland,  to  1812  ;  those  of  New 
Jersey,  to  the  Revolutionary  war ;  those  of  Kentucky,  from  1792  to 
1815  ;  and  of  the  new  states  of  the  West,  nearly  entire  ;  with  much  of 
states  not  designated. 

Besides  the  materials  of  the  political  histor}^  of  the  country  at  large, 
the  Society  has  especially  esteemed  the  historial  and  documentary  ma- 
terials of  our  own  State — so  rare,  so  little  cared  for,  so  seldom  pre- 
served. By  personal  visits  of  its  agents,  and  by  the  liberality  of  in- 
dividuals, among  whom  may  be  named  the  family  of  the  late  Col, 
Mather,  the  Hon.  D.  J.  Baker,  Robert  Blackwell,  Esq.,  W.  H.  Brov/n, 
Esq.,  the  late  Major  Charles  W.  Hunter,  of  Alton,  and  numerous 
others,  the  Society  already  possess  an  amount  of  historical  material,  in- 
cluding much  in  manuscript,  rescued  from  the  accidents  which  too  often 
destrov  such  relics  of  the  past,  which  is  j^i'obably  unequaled  elsewhere. 
It  includes  files  of  the  earliest  newspapers  of  Southern  Illinois,  at  Shaw- 
neetown,  Yandalia,"'^  Edwardsville  and  Springfield — early  documents 
of  the  Territory  and  State  (not  yet  complete,)  and  numerous  political 
and  other  pamphlets  and  publications.  The  Society's  library  also  in- 
cludes the  literature  of  each  religious  denomination,  designed  to  afford 
the  fullest  information  on  the  religious  development  of  our  country ; 
with  works  of  science,  agriculture,  benevolence,  and  general  literature, 
in  their  multifarious  departments.  A  complete  analysis  of  a  library  so 
comprehensive  as  this  cannot  be  attempted.  The  following  table  will 
exhibit  the  Society's  collections,  since  its  first  establishment : 

*  This  Society  possesses  a  bound  volume  of  the  "  Illinois  Intelligencer" — 1820  to  1823 — 
the  esteemed  gift  of  W.  H.  Brown,  Esq. 


Bound  books 

Unbound   pamphlets 

Rare  newspapers 

Files  of  periodicals 

riles  of  newspapers 

Maps  and  charts 

Piints 

Manuscripts 

Collections   of  miscellanies. 
Cabinet 


Total l,18f)'    9,820, 


To  Oct 
1856. 


390 

71*7 
19' 


No'v'er 
1857 


50 


*3,576 

5,555 

67 

14 

455 

119 


1858, 


*2,369 
5,025 


229 

69 

278 


7,970 


1859. 


1,285 
4,905 


6,297 


1860. 


1,158 

6,056 

52 

120 

90 

203 

20 

134 


1861. 


1,416 

9,622 

95 

310 

18S 

185 

45 

148 

9 


1862. 


680 

233 

47 

617 

122 

7S 

47 

150 

23 

29 


7,893   12,018   13,026  58,213 


Totn 


11,824 

42,113 

280 

1,376 

972 

989 

114 

481 

35 

29 


It  may  be  remarked,  that  the  above  collection  includes  numerous 
select  works  on  American  history,  such  as  the  rare  v/orks  of  Ilakluyt, 
Purchas,  Grynosus,  Laet,  Montanns,  Herrera,  etc. ;  the  extensive 
"  Voyages  "  by  Churchill,  Harris,  La  Ilarpe  and  Pinkerton  ;  a  valuable 
series  of  ancient  maps,  charts,  etc.,  from  1555  to  17^5,  vv^ith  others 
specially  illustrating  the  progress  of  discovery  in  Illinois  and  the 
Northwest,  including  the  map  of  Marquette,  and  the  important  one  of 
Franquelin  of  Quebec,  in  1688.  Especially  esteemed  are  the  "Jesuit 
Relations "  and  "  Lettres  Edifiontes,"  with  a  succession  of  other  ma- 
terials printed  from  the  originals  in  Paris,  illustrating  the  settlement 
and  civilization  of  the  Lake  region.  It  is  believed  tliat  in  the  above,  a 
founda\ion  is  already  laid  by  this  Society  sufficient  to  reward  inquiry, 
and  to  encourage  a  fair  hope  for  the  future. 

THE     IIISTOKT     OF     ILLINOIS. 

A  brief  review  of  the  Society's  labors  for  Illinois  history  may  suffice 
to  indicate  their  scope  and  promise.  That  history  is  naturally  divisible 
into  two  eras — the  ancient  and  modern — the  ancient  itself  comprising 
the  two-fold  history  of  the  "  Mound-builders  "  and  the  known  historical 
race  of  "  Indians,"  still  existing. 


THE     MOUNDS. 

Of  the  vast  groups  of  mounds,  often  gigantic  in  size,  elaborate  in 
figure  and  arrangement,  and  indicative  of  an  early  advancement  in 
astronomical  and  geometrical  knowledge,  which  border  the  streams 
and  crown  the  elevations  of  our  State,  little  is  yet  known.  Even  of 
their  extent,  magnitude  and  scientific  value,  but  little  is  yet  apprehended, 
beyond  the  imperfect  notices  contained  in  the  invaluable  "  Smithsonian 
Contributions"  to  our  American  archaeology.  Besides  collecting  much 
information  as  to  the  localities,  extent  and  character  of  these  mysteri- 
ous remains  of  a  far  distant  past,  this  Society  has  had  the  esteemed 
assistance  of  a  learned  and  experienced  gentleman — Col  J,  D.  Graham, 
of  the  United  States  Topographical  Corps — who  executed,  for  its  collec- 

*  The  number  of  bound  books  obtained  in  1857  and  1858  was  enlarged  by  purchase ;  since 
1858,  the  amount  expended  in  purchase  has  been  inconsiderable. 


6 

tions,  an  admirable  survey  and  plat  of  a  large  group  of  mounds  near 
Albany,  on  the  Mississippi  river,  besides  securing  information  of  a 
general  character  of  much  value.* 

Without  attempting  any  theory  on  the  subject  of  these  relics  of  an 
unknown  age  and  people,  it  should  suffice  to  move  us  to  care  for,  guard 
and  rescue  them  from  impending  destruction,  that  they  are  the  sole 
remains  of  that  age  and ])eo]yle^  our  predecessors,  in  the  occupation  of 
this  rich  and  vast  domain.  In  the  opinion  of  a  competent  judge,  (Mr. 
H.  R.  Schoolcraft,)  the  ancient  earth-works  of  this  State,  especially  in 
Southern  Illinois,  are  of  unsurpassed  interest  and  scientific  value.  To 
no  private  hand,  to  no  association,  can  we  look  for  their  complete  survey, 
which  can  only  be  efficiently  executed  under  the  authority  and  direc- 
tion of  the  State  authorities.  Is  it  too  late  to  associate  this  important 
service  to  science  M'ith  the  geological  survey  of  the  State,  now  in  progress? 

The  Society  would  urgently  comn^iend  to  the  Legislature  and  the 
people  of  Illinois,  the  earliest  provision  for  the  recovery  and  safety  of 
these  sole  traditions  of  a  by-gone  race,  already  fast  disappearing  under 
the  plow,  or  becoming  marred  by  idle  or  wanton  hands.  It  would  be 
a  lasting  reproach  upon  our  intelligence  and  respect  for  the  past,  that 
these  solemn  mementos,  which  time  and  the  elements  and  human  pas- 
sions for  ages  have  reverentially  spared,  should  be  permitted  to  disap- 
pear in  an  age  and  among  a  people  of  modern  civilization,  without  one 
attempt  to  rescue  them  from  premature  obliteration  and  utter  ruin.f 

THE     ILLINOIS     INDIANS. 

Illinois,  proud  of  the  grandeur,  the  feiiility,  the  inexhaustible  resources 
of  its  splendid  territory,+  should  not  forget  that  its  very  name,  embody- 
ing an  empire,  holding  forth  an  incalculable  destiny,  links  it  with  the 
race  it  supplanted.  Boasting,  once,  its  twenty  thousand  warriors,§ 
there  are  those  living,  who  have  seen  to  what  heggarly  elements  the 
Illinois  nation  was  reduced,  a  half  century  since,  when  a  few  hundreds 
of  men,  women  and  children,  gathered  about  the  rude  capital  at  Kas- 
kaskia,  to  clutch  the  periodical  bounty  of  the  people  who  had  supplanted 
them,  to  be  squandered,  alas  !  for  their  yet  deeper  debasement. || 

*  The  "bird-shaped,"  "turtle,"  and  other  known  forms  of  mounds,  are  common  in  Illinois. 
The  "  pyramidal"  are  sometimes  gigantic,  as  in  the  "  Monk's  Mound,"  on  the  "Ameiican 
Bottom,"  near  Illinois  City.  Mounds  for  "defense"  are  frequent,  and  sometimes  of  rare  in- 
terest, as  partially  formed  of  stone-work.  The  mounds  of  Rock  river  are  particularly  remark- 
able for  tlieir  extent,  number,  arrangement  and  position — some  many  hundred  feet  in  length. 

fit  is  worthy  of  notice  that  the  ancient  earth-works,  etc.,  of  Wisconsin,  have  been  fully 
surveyed  by  Mr.  I.  A.  Lapham,  under  the  auspices  of  the  American  Antiquarian  Society, 
and  the  report  printed  by  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

\  Marquette  says:  "I  never  saw  a  more  beautiful  country  than  we  found  on  this  river,  (the 
Illinois.")     Louis.  His.  Coll.,  pp  2,  29-i. 

§  Coxe,  Louis.  His.  Coll.,  p  231 :  The  Abbe  Raynal  says,  (pl5S:)  "The  Illinois  had  but 
2,000  souls,  at  the  period  of  French  occupation."  Marquette  s;\ys:  "They  are  assembled  in 
two  towns,  containing  more  than  eight  or  nine  thousand  souls."  Shea.  F.  Merabresays: 
"  The  only  great  village  had  seven  or  eight  thousand  souls.  Illinois  of  the  Rock  (near  Ot- 
tawa,) had  four  hundred  men." 

I  Intelligent  missionaries  express  the  opinion  that  all  the  Indians  have  received,  in  ex- 
change for  their  lands,  has  served  "to  retard  rather  than  to  promote  their  civilization." 
Miss.  Herald  Dec,  1849,  etc. 


And  yet  the  powerful  and  populous  tribes  of  the  Illinois  were  no 
mean  people.  AVitli  a  succession  of  principal  chiefs,  bearing,  according 
to  Eossu,  the  name  of  "Chikagou,"*  the  chief  of  the  "  Tamaroas,"'t 
they  long  ruled  over  our  prairies,  until  the  fearful  warriors  of  the  "  Six 
JN^ations "  desolated  their  tribes,  even  while  the  devoted  French  mis- 
sionaries were  lifting  the  crucifix,  and  chanting  holy  services,  and  seal- 
ing their  children  with  the  baptism  of  the  cross.  Unlike  the  Ameri- 
can Indian,  they  were  gentle,  genial  and  hospitable.  The  ferocity  of 
their  enemies  triumphed  over  their  gentleness  and  simplicity.:]: 

Shall  such  a  race,  hardly  now  known  but  by  a  few  miserable  relics 
in  the  far  distant  "Indian  Keservation  "  in  the  West,  be  forgotten  by 
us  ?  "Will  not  some  industrious  hands  yet  gather  in  even  the  traditions 
of  those  who  so  lately  ruled  here ;  and  if  nothing  more,  garner  their 
names,  identify  their  haunts,  and  illustrate  the  beautiful  names  they 
have  bequeathed  to  our  lakes,  our  rivers,  and  various  localities  ? 

It  may  interest  the  people  of  Illinois  to  know  that  this  Society  has 
collected  from  two  to  three  hundred  volumes,  illustrating  the  history  of 
the  American  Indians,  including  those  of  the  Northwest.  It  possesses 
a  valuable  unpublished  memoir  of  the  "  Sac  and  Fox "  Indians,  by 
Thomas  Forsyth,  an  Indian  agent,  long  since  deceased ;  besides  manu- 
script papers  on  the  Indian  dialects.  It  has  also  sought  to  collect  from 
various  localities  the  very  names  of  Indians  known  to  have  lived  here, 
and  would  gratefully  receive  any  contributions  of  similar  information 
or  material. 

MODEEN     HISTOKY     OF     ILLINOIS. 

The  modern  history  of  Illinois  naturally  divides  itself  into  three 
periods.  Tlia  first  extending  from  its  primary  discovery  by  Marquette, 
embriicing  its  settlement  by-  the  French  and  its  incorporation  with  the 
colony  of  Louisiana,  of  which  it  constituted  (as  Northern  Louisiana,)  a 
distinct  military  department,  with  civil  jurisdiction — this  period  closing 
with  the  cession  to  Great  Britain  of  the  territory  in  1763 — a  period  of 
ninety  years. 

2.  The  second  period  extends  from  the  last  named,  including  the 
subjugation  of  Illinois  to  the  United  Colonies,  by  George  Rogers  Clarke; 
its  subsequent  incorporation  under  the  government  of  Ohio  and  In- 
diana, and  closing  with  the  establishment  of  a  Territorial  Government, 
in  1809 — a  period  of  about  forty-nine  years. 

3,  The  third  comprehends  the  historical  events  from  1809,  with  the 
organization  of  a  State  government,  in  1818,  to  the  present  time — a 
period  of  fifty-three  years. 

*The  name  of  Chikap;ou  was  given  on  maps  to  the  present  "Chicago  river;"  also,  by  F. 
Membre  to  the  "Des  Plaincs,"  as  tlie  "  Chicago  or  Divine  river."  The  Mississippi  river  was 
called  by  Coxe  the  "  Chucagua;"  also,  on  the  map  of  Sanson,  1696. 

•j-  Hennepin  places  the  location  of  the  Tamaroas  "  six  or  seven  leagues  below  the  mouth  of 
the  Illinois  river." 

:|;  F.  Marestsays:  "The  Pouteauatamis  a.ve  bnital  and  gross,  while  the  Illinois  are  mild 
tand  affable."  Kip.,  p  223.  De  Callieres  says :  "The  best  allies  we  have  among  the  Indiana 
are  the  Illinois."    N.  Y.  Paris  Doc,  p  249. 


PEKIOD     OF     FKENOH     OCCUPATION. 

This  was  a  period  of  adventure,  traffic,  settlement  and  war,  in  which 
figure  the  names  of  Marquette,  LaSalle,  Tonti,'^'  La  Foret,  Durantaye, 
and  the  heroic  missionaries  of  France.  The  forts,  trading-posts  and 
missionary  stations — few  indeed — at  Chicago,  Ottawa,  Peoria,  Cahokia 
and  Kaskaskia,  gathered  rude  and  scanty  settlements,  doing  more,  per- 
haps, to  barbarize  the  colonist,  than  to  christianize  the  savagcf  Yet 
had  they  their  place  and  work ;  and  even  now,  tradition  pictures  the 
simple  scenes  of  these  primeval  settlements  as  a  "  terrestrial  paradise," 
with  song  and  dance,  the  vine-decked  cottage  and  the  genial  harmony  of 
the  village-life  of  the  unsophisticated  colonists. 

Until  the  colonization  of  Louisiana,  Illinois  was  under  the  Canadian 
authorities.  The  terrors  of  the  "  Six  ISTations"  and  the  sad  fate  of  La- 
Salle, calling  forth  the  noble  and  generous  energy  of  Tonti,  with  the 
cruel  martyrdom  of  peaceful  and  devoted  missionaries,  amidst  the  horrid 
barbarities  of  savage  war,  render  this  period  one  of  tragic  interest. 
Happily  this  Society  possesses  extensive  sources  for  its  illustration,  with 
that  of  a  later  period ;  although  much,  it  is  believed,  yet  remains  un- 
published in  the  collections  at  Paris,  deserving  our  recovery.  Pains 
have  already  been  taken,  thus  far  without  success,  for  its  acquisition.:}; 

On  the  establishment  of  the  Colony  of  Louisiana,§  Illinois,  with  Yin- 
cennes,  in  Indiana,  was  brought  under  its  jurisdiction,  as  Northern  Lou- 
isiana— FoKT  Chartres,!  in  Illinois,  being  the  commanding  post.  This 
fort,  accoi'ding  to  Bossu,  was  rebuilt  about  1753,  by  Saussier,  a  French 
engineer,  whose  descendents  yet  live  in  the  Mississippi  valley.     It  was 

*■  Justice  has  not  yet  been  rendered  in  Illinois  to  Tonti — the  brave,  the  generous.  He  was 
in  "great  favor  with  the  Illinois  Indians" — (N.  Y.  Paris  Doe.,  p  276.)  Gov.  Denonville  says, 
"I  cannot  sufficiently  praise  his  zeal,  etc.  He  is  a  lad  of  great  enterprise  and  boldness,  who 
underttikes  a  great  deal" — (Ibid.,  p  300.)  His  bold  and  hazardous  attempt  to  discover 
the  fate  of  LaSalle  covers  his  name  with  honor.  There  was  a  Sieur  de  Tonti,  the  younger,  a 
reduced  Captain. — (Potherie  III,  309.)  Bougy  succeeded  Tonti,  who  succeeded  LaSalle,  in 
Illinois. 

I  "  The  Canadians  in  Illinois  destroyed,  by  their  libertine  life  among  the  Indian  women,  all 
that  the  foreign  missionaries  and  others  teach  them  of  the  mysteries  of  religion" — (Hist,  de 
Louis,  1708,  p  85.) 

J  The  history  of  the  Jesuit  missions  in  the  Northwest  merits  the  best  labor  of  the  historian. 
After  Marquette  was  F.  AUonez,  in  Illinois,  in  1676,  in  1687 — also  1689,  and  died  1690;  then 
F.  Membre,  who  perished  in  Ft.  St.  Louis;  F.  Gabriel,  killed  1680;  F.  Anastase,  who  left 
1688;  F.  Louis;  F.  Gravier,  at  Kaskaskia,  1693;  F.  Rcbourde;  F.  F.  Bineteau  and  Binet;  F. 
Varlet,  1712  to  1718 ;  F.  de  Ville,  1711,  at  Kaskaskia  and  Peoria;  F.  Marmot,  at  Kaskaskia; 
F.  Guignes,  1728,  among  the  Sioux;  in  Illinois,  1729  ;  F.  Doutreleau,  1730;  the  Abbe  Mer- 
cier,  at  Cahokia,  1754;  the  Abbe  Gugnen,  Chaplain  at  Fort  Chartres,  1752.  F.  Marest  was 
at  Kaskaskia,  1712— F.  Senac,  probably  in  Illinois,  1736— (Ibid.,  p  331.) 

§  In  1712,  Crozat  received  a  charter  of  the  territory  from  Carolina  to  Illinois — (Ibid.,  p  94.) 
In  1718  Louisiana  passed  from  Crozat  to  the  "Company  of  the  Indies" — (Ibid.,  p  160.)  In 
1714  "the  Wabash  and  the  Illinois  were  the  only  sources  of  grain."  The  ecclesiastical  juris- 
diction was  at  Quebec.  Illinois  was  a  department  of  Louisiana,  1721 — (Ibid.,  p  184.)  In  1723 
"the  Jesuits"  had  the  charge  of  Wabash  and  the  Illinois,  and  churches  and  chapels  were  or- 
dered to  be  built,  the  colonists  having  worshipped  before  "  around  crosses,  in  the  open  field" — 
(Ibid.,  p  195.)  As  early  as  1691,  Fort  St.  Louis,  in  Illinois,  was  called  "  of  Louisiana" — {N.  Y. 
Paris  Doc,  p  511.) 

I  Fort  Chartes  was  first  built,  1718.  The  new  fort  was  commenced,  1753 — (Bossu.)  "A 
factory,  or  stone  house,  was  constructed  there  about  1719.  This  Society  possesses  an  account 
of  the  condition  of  the  fort,  as  seen  by  Mr.  Lusk,  of  Edwardsville,  in  1802. 


9 

constructed  of  hewn  stono,  beveled,  and  was  the  most  finished  and  elab- 
orate fortification  west  of  the  Alleghanies,  as  its  remains  still  bear 
witness. 

The  history  of  this  period  is  the  record  often  of  bloody  war  with  the 
Indian  tribes,  and  enrols  among  the  Governors  of  the  territory,  or  its 
forts,  the  names  of  the  unfortunate  d'Artaguette,  (killed  in  1736,)  Buis- 
sonniere,  Macarty,  (an  Irishman.)  Boisbriant,  Montcharvauc,  Yolsei, 
Adamville  and  Favent.  During  this  period  the  rich  products  of  Illinois 
flowed  down  the  Mississippi,  until  1763,  when  the  cession  to  Great 
Britain  of  the  French  colonies,  caused  the  removal  of  many  of  the  colo- 
nists, including  the  religious  establishment  at  Kaskaskia,  to  the  west  of 
the  Mississippi  river — then  under  Spanish  and  Catholic  government. 

The  invaluable  letters  of  Bossu,  and  the  report  of  Pitman,  with  the 
missionary  correspondence  of  the  Jesuit  Fathers,  and  the  writings  of 
Charlevoix,  form  the  chief  light  to  illustrate  this  interesting  period.  Of 
the  families  of  the  original  French  settlers,  a  few  descendents  remain, 
some  conspicuous  in  our  State  history.  To  recover  every  book,  manu- 
script and  tradition  relating  to  that  interesting  period — verifying  facts, 
and  illustrating  history — merits  well  our  early  care. 

SECOND      PEKIOD. 

Of  this  period,  including  the  British  occupation  of  the  territory  and 
rule  of  the  unwilling  and  feeble  French  colonists,  its  conquest  by  George 
Rogers  Clarke,  and  its  subsequent  settlement  by  emigrants,  chiefly  from 
the  states  of  the  South,  with  the  attendant  horrors  of  Indian  war,  in 
which  the  names  of  St,  Clair,  Harmar  and  Wayne  became  famous,  but 
little  information  has  yet  been  published.  The  hero  of  that  period — 
George  Rogers  Clarke — deserves  to  be  better  known;  so  brave  in  war, 
so  adroit  and  commanding  in  Indian  council,  the  idol  of  his  soldiers,  and 
the  object  of  admiration  and  awe  to  the  rude  savages.  Seldom  can  a 
finer  trait  of  soldierly  devotion  and  disinterestedness  be  found,  tlian  in 
the  act  recorded  by  Major  Denny,  (whose  valuable  narrative  of  the  In- 
dian wars  of  Ilarmar,  Wayne,  etc.,  was  not  long  since  published.*) 
Clarke's  victorious  forces  were  at  Vincennes,  pinched  with  famine,  and 
in  utter  destitution.  After  repeated  entreaties  by  his  agents  to  the  Vir- 
ginia government  for  immediate  supplies,  a  messenger  arrives,  bringing, 
not  food  for  his  starving  followers,  but  a  sword  for  himself— the  tribute 
of  honor  awarded  by  Virginia  for  his  bravery.  The  disappointed  Gen- 
eral, in  the  presence  of  his  troops,  takes  the  sword,  thrusts  it  to  its  hilt 
into  the  soil  he  had  conquered,  breaks  it,  and  indignantly  throws  away 
the  handle,  exclaiming  "  I  asked  Virginia  for  hread^  she  has  sent  me  a 
svjordf''  There  are  those  yet  living,  (few  indeed,  and  swiftly  passing 
away,)  whose  memories  and  traditions  of  this  period  should  be  at  once 
put  on  record.  A  few  such  this  Society  possesses.  It  asks  more,  through 
the  generous  aid  of  its  friends  residing  at  the  distant  posts  of  our  early 
settlements. 

*  In  the  collections  of  the  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society. 


10 


THIKD     AND     LAST     PERIOD. 


This  period,  covering  (since  1809,)  a  period  of  less  than  two  genera- 
tions— much  less  than  the  ordinary  duration  of  a  single  human  life — so 
marvelous  in  its  results,  so  imposing  in  its  promise,  exhibiting  the  sud- 
den and  gigantic  uprising  of  a  feeble  territory  of  about  ten  thousand,  to 
assume  already  the  fourth  place  in  the  roll  of  American  states  ;  with  a 
production,  commerce,  navigation  and  system  of  internal  improvements 
for  the  facilitation  of  its  trade  and  exchanges,  the  magnitude  of  which  is 
yet  but  inadequately  conceived — surely  the  historical  record  and  solution 
of  such  a  phenomenon  in  the  annals  of  nations,  is  of  vast  interest,  not  to 
ourselves  only,  but  to  mankind. 

Great  results  imply  commensurate  causes.  Where  and  what  are  the 
hidden  springs  of  enterprise,  intelligence  and  energy  that  have  prompted 
and  achieved  a  consummation  so  grand,  so  complicated,  so  successful,  so 
rich  in  future  promise  ?  It  was  surely  from  a  very  inadequate  idea  of 
the  ends  and  province  of  history,  that  a  historian  of  Illinois*  should  ex- 
cuse himself  for  writing  only  of  "  small  men  and  little  events^''''  on  the 
plea  that  he  had  nothing  else  to  write  ahoiit.  The  truly  great  men  of 
Illinois — for  such  there  are  and  have  been — may  yet  be  found  and  recog- 
nized, though  sometimes  unadorned  with  the  robes  of  power,  and  their 
names  unblazoned  in  the  records  of  their  contemporaries. 

The  collection  of  the  historical  materials  of  the  past  fifty  years  has 
engaged  the  first  attention  of  this  Society,  without  limiting  them  exclu- 
sivel}^  to  Illinois.  The  full  statistics  of  Western  development  are  yet 
unknown,  because  uncollected  ;  nor  can  this  vast  productive  region  of 
America,  of  such  growing  importance  to  the  nations,  adequately  appre- 
ciate its  own  political  position,  relations,  interests  and  rights — hitherto 
so  little  esteemed  and  regarded — until  the  complete  facts,  in  its  growth, 
production,  and  particular  relations  of  commerce  with  other  parts  of  this 
country,  and  with  foreign  nations,f  are  brought  into  full  view.  To 
secure  such  a  result,  at  the  earliest  day,  has  been,  and  will  continue  to 
be  a  prominent  aim  of  its  operations.  Its  success  herein  has  already 
surpassed  its  hopes.  It  needs,  as  it  asks,  the  encouraging  assistance  of 
every  state  of  the  ISTorthwest,  that  its  end  of  general  good  may  be  fully 
achieved.  The  West  is  most  just  to  the  beneficent  Union  of  these 
states — to  our  common  country — when  it  is  just  to  itself.  Diversities 
of  interest  most  harmonize,  for  the  general  good,  where  each  is  ade- 
quately cared  for  and  maintained. 

The  history  of  Illinois  for  the  last  half  century,  embraces  many  con- 
spicuous points  of  inquiry.  The  names,  antecedents  and  fortunes  of  its 
first  settlers — the  first  planting  of  its  churches,  schools,  trades,  etc. — its 
early  territorial  government,  legislation  and  history — its  first  and  suc- 

*  Ex  Governor  Ford.     History  of  Illinois. 

f  The  force  of  this  allusion  will  be  understood,  when  it  is  stated,  that  the  grain-producing 
states  of  the  West  pay  yearly,  to  France,  about  ten  millions  of  dollars  for  French  fabrics  ( not 
including  duties,  transportation  and  profits,)  while  France,  in  1856  received  of  western  pro- 
ducts to  an  amount  less  than  three  millions  of  dollars,  falling,  the  following  year,  to  less  than 
three  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  former  amount  is  the  exception,  the  latter  is  the  rule. 
( U.  S.  Com.  and  Nav.) 


u 

ceedino^  conditional  conventions — its  canals,  railroad s,'-^  with  the  unfortu- 
nate projected  system  of  internal  improvements,  so  disastrous  to  private 
fortunes  aiid  the  public  credit — its  connexions  Avith  the  war  of  1813,  the 
"Blackhawk"  war,  and  the  existino;  national  strufwle,  so  saddening  to 
the  patriot,  yet  so  eventful  in  its  consequences — its  so-called  "  Conven- 
tion "  movement,  some  forty  ysars  past — its  troubles  with  the  Mormons 
of  Hancock  county,  and  their  final  expulsion — these,  with  numerous 
other  points  of  attractive  interest— and  not  least,  the  men  conspicuous 
in  their  history,  and  largelj^  influencing  events — are  all  worthy  ot  atten- 
tion ;  nor  have  any  of  them  escaped  the  Society's  notice. 

Besides  collecting  more  or  less  sources  of  information  in  print  on  these 
subjects,  the  Society  is  indebted  to  several  distinguished  citizens  of  Illi- 
nois for  extended  papers  on  the  "Convention"  movement— to  Messrs.  G. 
Churchill,  W".  H.  Brown,  H.  Warren  and  E,.  Blackwell,  for  notices  of 
the  first  "  newspapers  "  of  the  Territory  and  State  ;  memoirs  have  been 
secured  of  Morris  Birkbeck,  by  Ex-Governor  Coles — of  Daniel  P.  Cook, 
by  W.  H.  Brown — of  the  English  Colony,  at  Albion,  by  the  late  vene- 
rated George  Flower — while  of  the  late  Governor  ]S[.  Edwards,  an 
extensive  and  elaborate  memorial  has  been  prepared,  at  the  Society's 
request,  by  Mr.  Ninian  W.  Edwards,  his  son.  A  history  of  Hancock 
county  and  the  Mormons,  in  preparation  by  the  late  esteemed  Dr.  E. 
James,  of  Iowa,  Avas  left  unfinished,  at  his  recent  lamented  death, 
which,  it  is  hoped,  may  be  continued  by  other  hands ;  Avhile  memorials 
of  the  late  Judge  Pope,  a  name  deserving  lasting  honor — with  others, 
have  been  promised  from  competent  hands. 

In  addition  to  the  numerous  manuscripts  above  indicated,  the  Society 
possesses  original  notices  of  the  first  settlement  of  several  localities,  inclu- 
ding Edwardsville,  in  Madison  county — the  original  account  books,  etc., 
of  the  late  John  Kinzie — Indian  Agent  at  Chicago — from  1084:,  the 
gift  of  Mr.  John  II.  Kinzie,  his  son  ;f  an  extensive  and  unpublished 
topographical  sketch  of  the  ISTorthwest,  in  1812,  together  Avith  other 
miscellanies  of  historical  value,  Avhicli  cannot  be  particularized.  The 
Society  will  hold  in  esteem  any  donations  of  diaries,  letters,  notes  or 
papers,  of  any  kind — relics  of  the  past — Avith  which  the  good-wdll  of  the 
citizens  of  Illinois  may  favor  them. 

In  noticing  this  period  of  our  history,  a  just  tribute  should  be  paid  to 
the  patriotic  and  A^alued  services  of  the  late  Hev.  J.  M.  Peck,  Gov.  li^^- 
nolds,  Judge  Brown,  and  Gov.  Ford,  in  their  contributions  to  the  history 
of  our  State.  The  graphic  delineations  of  pioneer  life,  by  GoA^  Rey- 
nolds, Avill  have  an  enduring  place  in  American  history ;  Avhile  the  labo- 
rious and  successful  collection  of  the  "  Western  Annals,"  by  Dr.  Peck, 

*  The  ton  railroads  centering  at  Chicago,  have  cost  over  one  hundrcil  and  thirty-eight  mil- 
lions of  dollars — one-eijhth  of  the  entire  railroad  capital  of  the  United  States. 

f  The  valuable  account  books  of  Mr.  Kinzie  commence  at  St.  Joseph,  Sept.  30,  1803  ;  then 
at  "  Chicagou,"  May  12,  1S04.  The  massacre  in  1812,  caused  tlie  entire  depopulation  of  the 
place,  whose  trade  was  resumed,  after  the  peace  of  1815.  These  books  show  tliat  a  larger 
trade  existed  at  Chicago,  before  the  war  of  1812,  than  afterward,  until  1832.  Before  1812, 
Mr.  Kinzie  sent  large  adventures  to  Milwaukee,  Kankakee,  Rock  River,  and  among  the  Kika- 
poos,  as  well  as  to  Peoria,  receiving  large  invoices  of  peltries  in  return — in  some  instances 
amounting  to  9  to  10,000  dollars.  The  Choteau  family,  of  St.  Louis,  sent  peltries,  via  Chicago, 
to  Detroit,  which  Mr.  Kinzie  transported  by  teams  across  the  portage,  (Portage  des  Chenes,) 
from  the  Des  Plaines  to  the  Chicago  river. 


12 

leaves  iis  the  sole  regret,  that  the  important  collection  of  original  mate- 
rial of  Illinois  history  made  by  him  should  have  been  consigned,  for  its 
iiture  custody,  to  the  people  oi'  another  state ! 

As  early  as  1827,  "The  Antiquarian  and  Historical  Society  of  Illinois" 
was  organized  at  Yandalia,  the  proceedings  of  whose  tirst  meeting,  with 
the  address  by  Judge  liall,  we  have  yet  "in  print.  The  effort  proved 
abortive.  ISTot  long  after  1840,  the  "Illinois  Literary  and  Historical 
Society"  was  formed  at  Alton,  whose  labors,  assisted  by  Dr.  Peck, 
Messrs.  Cyrus,  Edwards,  M.  G.  Atwood  and  other  public-spirited  citi- 
zens, were  continued  for  several  years ;  and  are  not,  it  is  hoped,  yet 
permanently  suspended.  The  "Pioneer  Meetings"  and  assemblages  of 
"Old  Settlers,"  extensively  practiced  in  this  State,  have  done  much  to 
develop  facts  and  awaken  interest,  in  relation  to  local  history.  In  a 
few  instances  county  histories  have  been  prepared — as  in  the  case  of  the 
counties  of  Ogle,  Putnam,  Marshall,  Lake,  etc.,  which  have  made  es- 
teemed contributions  to  our  historical  knowledge.  To  the  State  historian 
such  contributions  are  invaluable.  The  history  of  the  whole  is  made  up 
of  the  history  of  the  parts.  It  should  be  matter  of  pride  to  every  town- 
ship, to  every  county,  to  inscribe  its  annals  on  the  historic  page.  The 
neglect  leaves  the  presumption,  that  the  locality  has  nothing  worthy  of 
notice,  in  men,  achievements  or  events.  Every  locality  is  made  known 
by  its  published  history.  Is  it  not  due  to  pokerity,  not  to  leave  Ihem 
in  ignorance  of  the  brave  and  enterprising  men,  and  stirring  movements, 
which  have  ushered  into  the  communion  of  states  our  great  and  noble 
commonwealth  ? 

It  may  be  proper  to  state,  that  since  the  foundation  of  this  Society,  in 
April,  1856,  its  meetings  have  been  regularly  held,  and  its  operations 
continued,  at  an  annual  cost  to  its  members  of  about  fifteen  hundred 
dollars.  It  congratulates  itselT  on  being  free  of  debt,  while  its  collec- 
tions are  daily  and  freely  open  to  the  public,  without  charge.  It  is  hon- 
ored with  relations  of  friendly  communication  and  exchange  with  the 
principal  institutions  and  public  libraries  of  the  United  States,  which  it 
hopes  early  to  extend  to  the  learned  societies  of  foreign  countries.  It 
has  sought  to  encourage,  by  such  aid  as  was  in  its  power,  those  arts 
which  embellish  and  adorn  society;  and  the  first  public  exhibition  of 
paintings  and  statuary,  in  this  State,  was  successfully  opened  under  its 
auspices,  in  the  spring  of  1859*. 

It  confidently  commends  the  objects  of  public  good  it  seeks  to  pro- 
mote, to  the  good-will  and  aid  of  the  people  of  Illinois, 

The  undersigned  has  the  honor  to  accompany,  with  this  report,  the 
affidavit  of  the  President,  as  required  by  the  statute  under  which  this 
report  is  presented. 

All  which,  by  the  Society's  direction,  is  most  respectfully  submitted. 

WILLIAM  BAEIiY,  Secretary. 
Chicago,  December  15,  1862, 

*  Over  12,000  persons  visited  the  collection,  opened  about  six  weeks  ;  and  the  net  sum  of 
over  $800,  received  from  the  exhibition,  was  appropriated  for  the  encouragement  of  the  fine 
arts. 


13 

State  of  Illinois,  ? 
Cook  County.  \ 
Walter  L.  Eewbeny,  of  the  city  of  Clucago,  in  said  county  and  State, 
being  duly  sworn,  deposes  and  says,  that  lie  is  President  of  the  Chicago 
Historical  Society,  and  that  he  knows,  of  his  own  personal  knowledge, 
that  a  sum  of  money,  exceeding  five  hundred  dollars,  has  been  raised 
and  expended,  since  the  first  day  of  December,  A.  D.  1860,  in  and  for 
the  business  and  management  of  said  Society. 

W.  L.  XEWEEliRY. 

■>    Subscribed  and  sworn  to,  before  me.  this  1st  day  of  December,  A  D 
1862. 

•  .  L.  PEOUDFOOT,  Notary  PaUic. 


CHICAGO    HISTOKICAL    SOCIETY. 


ORGANIZATION,   If 


President.— WALTER  L.  NEWBERRY,  Esq. 
Vice-Presidents.— Hon.  W.  B.  OGDEN,  GEORGE  MANIERRE. 
Treasurer.— FRANKLIN  SCAMMON,  M.  D. 
Recording  Secretary  and  Librarian. — WILLIAM  BARRY. 
Corresponding  Secretary. — E.  B.  McCAGG,  Esq. 


COMMITTEES  OF  BUSINESS. 

On  Conslilution  and  By-Laws. — Messrs.  I.  N.  Arnold,  V.  D.  Higgins,  J.  Y.  Scaiumon,  G. 
Manieire,  T.  Home. 
Publication.— ^<i^sT9.  S.  W.  Fuller,  W.  Barry,  E.  B.  McCagg. 
Finance. — Mes.srs.  W.  L.  Newberry,  W.  H.  Brown,  C.  H.  McCormick. 
Library. — Messrs.  E.  B.  McCagg,  S.  C.  Griggs,  E.  W.  Jones. 
Nommaiions. — Messrs.  H.  G.  Loomis,  W.  Blair,  B.  W.  Raymond. 
Investments. — Messrs.  J.  Y.  Scammon,  H.  T.  Dickey,  E.  B.  McCagg. 


COMMITTEES  OF  RESEARCH  AND  CORRESPONDENCE. 

On  Aboriginal  History,  cfe— Messrs.  W.  B.  Ogden,  H.  T.  Dickey,  E.  B.  McCagg,  J.  H.  Kiczie. 

Europeati  Discovery,  etc. — Messrs.  W.  Barry,  M.  D.  Ogden,  S.  W.  Fuller,  B.  F.  Culver. 

Civil  History. — Messrs.  Vv'".  H.  Brown,  J.  Y.  Scammon,  J.  L.  Stark,  H.  H.  Magie,W.  H.  Osborn. 

Lcclesiastical  History.— Heastrs.  W.  Barry,  Rt.  Rev.  B.  P.  Duggan,  R.  W.  Patterson,  R.  H. 
Clarkson. 

Science,  Art  and  Industry. — Messrs.  F.  Scammon,  C.  H.  Ray,  H.  A.  Johnson,  J.  H.  Foster, 
J.  Carter. 

Literature.— HicssTs.  C.  Bcntly,  E.  B.  Talcott,  H.  G.  Miller,  W.  Bross. 

City  of  Chicago. — Messrs.  H.  Farnum,  G.  F.  Rumsey,  W.  Blair,  J.  H.  Dunham,  J.  H.  Kinzie. 

Fifie  Ai-ts. — Messrs.  E.  B.  McCagg,  M.  Skinner  W.  Barry,  I.  N.  Arnold,  G.  F.  Rumsey,  E. 
H.  Sheldon,  W.  S.  Gurnee,  W.  L.  Newberry,  D.  J.  Ely. 


N.  B.  The  Society's  rooms — in  Newberry's  building,  corner  of  North  Wells  and  Kinzie 
streets  (third  story) — are  daily  open  to  the  public,  (Sundays  excepted,)  from  10  o'clock,  A. 
M.  to  3  P.  M.  Packages  sent  by  express,  with  the  Society's  address,  as  above,  will  be  duly 
received. 


as 

RJVR& 


